when i was living with my host family in a little village in the south two weeks ago, the

mother of that family told me an interesting story. it goes something like this:
once upon a time there were two men. They were walking the earth each carrying a big

heavy cross on their backs. one of the men carried his cross with dignity and not even

once complained.The other one kept telling everyone about how unbearable his burden

was and kept asking the Lord to make it smaller. the Lord had compassion on the man

and made it smaller. the man became happier for a while but then repeated his plea to

the Lord. the Lord listened again and again made it smaller. and so it happened

several times. in the end these two men came upon a huge rock crevice. guess what

happend? right... the man with the big cross used it as a bridge and made it to the

other side. the man with his cross as big as a badge never found out what was on that other side...
...so true... if you want to be a sportsman--do weights. want to be a writer--make sure you read a lot. want to succeed in life, first learn to cope with the difficulties that lay on YOUR way and only then MAY BE your chance will come too.
...although... i never asked my host mom whether on that other side he met a beautiful princess, a treasure box or a hungry lion.